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Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this movie has very salty language for a PG-13, including a slightly obscured but very strong four-letter word. In addition to the violence mentioned above (mostly comic and bloodless, but with real injuries and deaths), there's a beheading. There are a number of sexual references and situations, including a discussion of "French" kissing, characters making sounds so that people nearby will think they are having sex, and a man who has sex with a woman because he thinks she is a different woman. Minority and female characters are smart and brave (though not always seen that way by others).

User reviews

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Kids say

What's the story?

Inspired by Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, BLACK KNIGHT stars Martin Lawrence as Jamal, an employee of a run-down medieval theme park. After grabbing for a mysterious amulet while cleaning the moat, he falls into the water and comes up in a lake. It turns out that he's been transported back to 1328, and a usurper king mistakes him for a Moorish messenger. Jamal is astonished by the odd medieval world (They behead people! And they have awful bathrooms!), and the locals are equally astonished at his behavior. Jamal becomes interested in a pretty chambermaid who is a part of a conspiracy to bring back the real queen, and he's pursued by but the daughter of the usurper king.

Is it any good?

QUALITY

Martin Lawrence is a very funny guy who is usually a lot better than the movies around him, which tend to play as though half the script reads, "Martin enters and does funny things." This time, the material comes a little closer to his talents.

Black Knight is a classic comedy set-up that could easily have starred any movie comedian skilled in pratfalls, from Buster Keaton to Jerry Lewis to Jim Carrey. There is a lot of slapstick, a little romance, fights with swords, arrows, and a couple with fists, and it all moves along pretty painlessly, helped by some good gags and Lawrence's facility with physical comedy.

Families can talk about...

Families can talk about why we're drawn to stories in which a character finds themselves in an entirely different time. What other films can you think of where this is the premise? If you created a similar story, what century would your character land in?

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When you use our links to make a purchase, Common Sense Media earns a small affiliate fee from Amazon or iTunes. As a nonprofit organization, these funds help us continue providing independent, ad-free services for educators, families, and kids while the price you pay remains the same. Thank you for your support.Read more

Funny Medieval mayhem in Martin Lawrence comedy

This was a fun, funny film that runs along the same lines as Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. This was an impressive farce of the Middle Ages. Another good comparison would be the film Just Visting, only the setting is switched. Very enjoyable! Parents: There are some particularly graphic images of battle violence and executions, including decapitated heads. There's also non-graphic sex, partial nudity, and typical Martin Lawrence language (without the f-bombs). Bottom Line: Very fun to watch; you'll probably have a good time with this one! Thanks for reading! - Movie Man

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